COMMUNITY COMMENT: Cross a religious symbol, which government cannot endorse

Let’s get a few things out of the way before we begin to talk about this issue. Some general background knowledge if you will.

Now, let us start with what the constitution says. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Reference that to what is happening at the riverfront. “West Side Christian Church has received approval from an Evansville government panel to display 30 decorative (decorated by vacation Bible school children) crosses Aug. 4-18 on the city’s Downtown riverfront.” — Courier & Press

At this time, let us look at the etymology of the word “cross.”

“The word cross comes ultimately from Latin ‘crux,’ a Roman torture device used for crucifixion, via Old Irish cross. The word was introduced to English in the 10th century as the term for the instrument of the torturous execution of Jesus as described in the New Testament, gradually replacing the earlier word rood. The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and has been used by many religions, most notably Christianity.” — Wikipedia via Webber, F.R. (1927, rev. 1938). Church Symbolism

Finally, let us break this down. Is West Side Christian Church a part of an established religion? Yes. Is a “cross” a symbol of that established religion? Yes.

The cross is oddly symbolic. Through the use of this symbol on public property, the government of Evansville is promoting an emblem of a religion, and therefore the government of Evansville makes an establishment of religion. On top of which, the students at that established religion’s vacation Bible school will then decorate the crosses, possibly with more religious symbolism.

This should not and cannot be allowed by the City of Evansville. This is not something new. O’Bannon v. Indiana Civil Liberties Union. They tried to erect a seven-foot-tall statue to the Ten Commandments. This was obviously blocked, and then appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court where it failed to get the minimum of four justices to agree to accept the case.

There are many different types of people in the world, and each one very likely with a different belief. I will defend your right to believe in your religion till my dying breath, but you cannot put something that symbolizes your established religion on public grounds.